By Mark Hallum
The DOT has made significant safety improvements at MS 172 in Glen Oaks by converting 256th Street between 81st and 82nd avenues into a one-way thoroughfare.
The change was made following safety concerns brought to the office of state Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Fresh Meadows), who worked with the city Department of Transportation and Councilman Barry Grodenchik (D-Oakland Gardens) to implement traffic-calming measures along around the school.
“Parents, understandably, are often eager to drop their kids off near the entrance of the school in the morning and like to be first in line to see their children after a long day,” Weprin said. “So we end up getting instances where we have drivers dropping off their children and attempting to leave while other cars are coming in to the same area – leading to double parking and cars pulling over across the street to let kids out.
“All of this led to a chaotic and untenable situation at MS 172, especially with 256th Street and 257th Street both being two-way streets.”
The conversion of the street into a one-way was completed by July 11 and recognized increasing traffic conditions during pick-up and drop-off times for the school.
“We contacted DOT and asked them to take a look at the safety conditions around the school and after conducting a traffic study, the department suggested a one-way conversion of 256th Street, between 82nd and 81st avenues, and 257th Street between 83rd and 81st avenues; as a way to calm the streets surrounding the school,” Weprin concluded.
Reach reporter Mark Hallum by e-mail at mhall
